The Best Superfood You’ve Never Heard Of
The Best Superfood You’ve Never Heard Of
Move over kale, kombucha, gogi and chia, unless you’re Asian (or a fan of Asian food), you’ve probably never heard of this amazing superfood.
Sold mostly in farmers and Asian markets, this humble, low-calorie brassica is a veritable powerhouse of health benefits. The daikon radish, which resembles a large, white carrot, has a delicate taste and a satisfying crunch. Versatile and easy to prepare, it can be made into any kind of slaw, salad or pickle.
Long revered in Asia for its medicinal properties, daikon is a vegetable I think everyone should know about, especially at this time of year.
In the colder months, it’s natural (and advised) to eat a diet emphasizing warming, nourishing foods. Once the weather warms though, we may be feeling several pounds heavier and in need of a spring jumpstart!
This is where daikon really excels. Considered a supreme purifier and cleansing food, daikon reduces phlegm and mucous in the body (a result of eating more heavily in the winter), reduces inflammation, boosts digestion and is a mild diuretic.
Add that to the fact that it’s not peppery like traditional radishes, and you’ll see why I consider this such an amazing little vegetable!
Here’s a quick summary of the benefits of this amazing superfood:
- Stimulates weight loss
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-inflammatory
- An alkalizing food (therefore a good complement to a meal containing animal protein)
- Boosts the immune system
- Anti-bacterial & anti-viral (present in the outer skin so do not peel first)
- Aids digestion
- Detoxifies the body (aids kidney function, mild diuretic)
- Eliminates mucous
- Rich in Vitamin A,C, E & B-6
- Rich in minerals Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium & Iron
When preparing raw daikon, be sure to use it immediately. Approximately 50% of the digestive enzymes are lost within 30 minutes of cutting.
Easy Daikon Salad (serves 2 small side salads)
- 2 C daikon (matchsticks)
- 1 TBSP soy sauce
- 1 TBSP sesame oil
- 1 TBSP rice vinegar
- 1/2 -1 TSP sugar
- 1 TBSP sesame seeds (white or black)
Wash daikon (do not peel) and remove leaves if present. Cut into matchsticks (2″ long)
Whisk remaining ingredients and pour over daikon.
Serve immediately.